Machiavelli came to the conclusion that it is better for a leader to be feared than to be respected, but many disagree. In America the last two presidents have garnered more fear than respect and the country has not moved forward. So which one is a more efficient force to move people forward to a specific goal?

With fear, more people are less likely to rebel, but respect can get positive out comes, but may take time to reach a certain goal. I think respect should rule over fear. Everyone should feel comfortable and safe with a ruler.

It depends on what environment or who the leader is leading. Both a benevolent-kind-well respected leader and/or a tyrannical-feared leader can be better depending on the situation.

However, it is important to note that a leader can be both feared and respected.

I attend USMA which is filled with basically 100% leaders, and there are many that I respect for different reasons; one includes a sort of "fear."

It's also hard to say if the economy has moved forwards or backwards to say the least. Yes, we can look at the short run outcomes such as a decline and a (most recent) improvement, but there could be some long-term lag that we are not able to see. I also don't think that the past two presidents were more "fearful" at all. If anything, people seemed to just want a big change/shift in the system.

It depends on what environment or who the leader is leading. Both a benevolent-kind-well respected leader and/or a tyrannical-feared leader can be better depending on the situation.

However, it is important to note that a leader can be both feared and respected.

I attend USMA which is filled with basically 100% leaders, and there are many that I respect for different reasons; one includes a sort of "fear."

It's also hard to say if the economy has moved forwards or backwards to say the least. Yes, we can look at the short run outcomes such as a decline and a (most recent) improvement, but there could be some long-term lag that we are not able to see. I also don't think that the past two presidents were more "fearful" at all. If anything, people seemed to just want a big change/shift in the system.

I think respect and fear come together if you make people fear you but still make good choices then people are going to fear you and respect you.
If i had to choose one then fear like that no one will try to manipulate you.